Dec 22, 2023 | Pastor Jim's Blog, Uncategorized
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
There is no shortage of sad stories, two Kleenex boxes have permanent residence in my office, urns and cremains surround me waiting silently for their slow procession to the columbarium. Every human journey is marked by illness and accident, death in season and out, love lost and bitter betrayal. There is no escape, our ability to elude the human condition is nothing more than an illusion, an illusion which ultimately gives way to reality, as the frail nature of our bodies, our minds and our relationships begin to decay. I have made peace with it, mostly, there is a time to be born and a time to die. The diminishing sands of the hourglass are humbling but they hold no particular horror for me.
But I am overtaken by a profound sadness when our loss or loneliness is a by-product of our egos, unforced errors, a brokenness unrelated to our shared fragility. In January 1974, guitarist Don Felder was asked to join a country rock band called the Eagles. The Eagles would become superstars with classic hits like “Hotel California,” “I Can’t Tell You Why,” “Tequila Sunrise,” “Take it Easy,” and many more. Don Felder was a rock star, the Eagles sold millions of records and each member of the band made millions of dollars. For 27 years Don Felder would be associated with the Eagles, touring the world, and recording and then in 2001 it all fell apart. Felder and Eagles founders Glenn Frey and Don Henley would spend several years in court arguing about money. The case would be settled out of court, but soon new lawsuits were filed. There would be no more harmony for the men whose beautiful harmonies helped define the music of the 1970’s.
In January 2016, Glenn Frey would die of natural causes at the age of 68. The day after Frey’s death, Felder told the Associated Press that he felt an “unbelievable sorrow. I had always hoped somewhere along the line, he and I would have dinner together, talking about old times and letting it go with a handshake and a hug.” Perhaps, a phone call or a letter or an olive branch of any kind would have made that dinner, that handshake and that hug a reality, if either man had swallowed their pride, perhaps they could have let it go. But once that final breath is taken, it is too late.
The words of one of the Eagles hits came to mind:
“Desperado, why don’t you come to your senses?
Come down from your fences, open the gate
It may be rainin’, but there’s a rainbow above you
You better let somebody love you (Let somebody love you)
You better let somebody love you before it’s too late.”
There is no shortage of sad stories, many of them are an unavoidable part of living. But I find these words to be hauntingly tragic, “I had always hoped somewhere along the line, he and I would have dinner together, talking about old times and letting it go with a handshake and a hug.”
Maybe we can learn from the sad words of an aging rock star, just maybe these words can help us to change our story, to carry less burdens, to let go of bitterness and to die without the regrets of missed reconciliation.
That is enough for this Saturday.
One beggar telling another beggar where to find bread, I am your
Pastor Jim
[email protected]
Dec 16, 2023 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
My mother spent a lot of time worrying. She worried every time her children left home. After 9/11 when I set off on a tour to Europe she sent me a sweatshirt bearing the flag of Canada. She said, “I will feel better if you wear this every day, no one hates the Canadians.” She worried every time I went to Israel. When I was in High School, or college or in the Holy Land she asked me to check in. “I just need to hear your voice and know that you are OK.” With the holidays just around the corner, the importance of “checking in” cannot be overstated.
Some twenty years ago, Russell Hicks played the drums in our “Breaded Fish” worship band. He was a World War Two veteran. One day he stopped by my office, we shared a cup of coffee and then the conversation turned to his service in the United States Navy in the Pacific Theatre of World War 2. Hicks was a 19-year-old Seaman First Class from the great state of Iowa and served on the battleship Missouri. The Missouri would take part in the invasion of Iwo Jima and Okinawa, she would be a part of the attack force on the Japanese home island and she was the Flagship for the Pacific Fleet. The Pacific Fleet was under the command of Admiral William “Bull” Halsey. Bull Halsey was a legendary leader of men, a skilled military strategist, and is one of only four men who have ever achieved the rank of Five-Star Fleet Admiral in the history of the United States Navy.
On a rare peaceful day in the Pacific in the Fall of 1944, Seaman First Class Russell Hicks was ordered to Admiral Halsey’s office on the Missouri. He entered at full attention, having never been in the Admiral’s presence, much less in his office. He was seated in front of the wooden desk, with papers and telegrams neatly ordered. Admiral Halsey said, “Seaman Hicks are you happy serving on this ship?” Hicks replied, “Yes sir, it is an honor to serve.” Halsey continued, “Have you enough food, time for rest, time to sleep?” The young sailor said, “Yes sir, all is good sir.”
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 Halsey then held up a letter, “Do you know what this is sailor?” “No sir.” Halsey displayed the front of the envelope, “This is a letter from your mother in Iowa. She sent it to me asking me if her son was still alive. Though I am happy that you are currently alive, I am not happy to be getting letters from your mother. So let me tell you how this is going to go sailor. Every Monday and Thursday without fail by fifteen hundred hours, there will be a letter on the corner of my desk from you addressed to your mother. And if you miss even a single day, you will no longer enjoy your time in the Navy. You will not have time to eat or sleep or use the bathroom. Have I made myself clear Hicks?” “Yes sir, very clear.”
A year later, on September 2nd, 1945, the Missouri would be in Tokyo Bay as the Japanese surrendered and the World War came to an end. Russell Hicks’ mother was well informed that her son was alive. ET also wanted to phone home. Lost in an alien world, ET wanted to let the aliens back home know that he was safe. Checking in is important. Who do you need to check in with this holiday season? Who would love to hear your voice? I would very much like to check in with my mother, to hear her voice once again, but that door has closed. Now is the time for you to check in with someone. Halsey understood the value of checking in, may our lives be informed by that wisdom.
One beggar telling another where to find bread, I am your
Pastor Jim
[email protected]
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Dec 12, 2023 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Tom…
There is a gentleman I play golf with who is what I might generously refer to as “methodical.” Others refer to him as agonizingly slow, as in, “Hit the flipping ball, let’s go!”. If someone dares mutter such a comment that’s the kiss of death because then he has to start all over again… take his stance, two practice swings, readdress the ball, four looks, two waggles, one more look at the target and then a swing. Which often results in a less than satisfying outcome, which is simply a nice way of saying he is awful. Meanwhile, another gentleman has already hit the ball three times moving in a generally forward direction.
“Does it bother you to be so bad?” mutters another in the group.
So goes the playful banter. No one is safe, not even retired clergy. “Hey, that’s not fair, you can’t accept outside help!” cries out one of my mates. My errant drive had headed deep into the woods to which I had shouted, “I could use some help here!” only to have my ball carom back into the center of the fairway. Full of pastoral concern I respond, “You know, you guys could take advantage of the same help.” It would be un-pastoral of me to record their specific retorts. Suffice to say there is typically not a lot of “Jesus” in their responses. I smile.
I like to regularly let them know that every thing I spend playing golf with them is a tax write-off because they are nothing but a mission project. They don’t argue. Our group is anywhere from 5-16 players on a given day. It is all about laughter and the periodic golf shot worthy of a back slap. Our relative skill level ranges from pretty good to embarrassing. But, as one of the stalwarts is prone to say, “We are a pretty accommodating group.” Golf is just the excuse we have to gather together. Weather be damned.
I like liturgy. Each golfer has a ritual they go through before each shot. It is never completely surprising if an individual’s effort concludes with a thrown club (never me). We all have liturgies we ritually live out in life. Probably most of them simply reflect repetitive behaviors that provide security, meaning and joy to our life (though others may ascribe a less positive attitude).
I love liturgy in worship. My religious practice in life has led me to all sorts of churches, synagogues, Friends Meetings, Temples, and places of devotion. From high church to low church every gathering has their own liturgies. Even those assemblies that pride themselves in being “Spirit led” there exists a predictability in their order of worship.
Covid changed much of our liturgical practices. From how we shop to how we worship. Liturgies have changed. There used to be a specific liturgy for bringing our gifts, our offerings. Offering plates would be passed down the rows where gifts would be placed. Many of us used offering envelopes. As parents we used the offering plate as an important opportunity to teach our children about gladly bringing our financial gifts to be used for God’s work. In many churches the plates would then be brought forward where the presiding minister would lift them up in an expression of gratitude while the congregation would sing, “We Give Thee but Thine Own.” Things change, church practices change.
You are part of a very generous congregation. Be thankful. Out of fear of germs we quit passing offering plates. Out of gratitude you continue to generously bless the ministry of Trinity. We no longer practice a corporate experience, a liturgy if you will, of bringing our gifts forward during worship. Now we practice the individual discipline of placing gifts in the Narthex Offering Box, sending financial gifts electronically or putting a check in the mail. Our support has remained strong as you have taken to heart the mantra of “Blessed to be a blessing.”
Liturgical practices change. Might I suggest one more small liturgical change. However you leave your gifts for Christ’s ministry at Trinity, leave it with a small prayer.
“Thank you Lord for your generous blessings. And thank you
for creating within me a joy in sharing. Use these gifts to
your glory. Amen.”
Pastor Tom
[email protected]
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Dec 9, 2023 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
The Lord God created them male and female in God’s image.
It is our earliest shared human story, our genesis from the book of Genesis, our beginning in the heart of a creative and loving God. Creation is not some accident of an unfeeling universe; it is and was intentional. Intentional too was the fact that all humans were created by God and in the image of God.
247 years ago, a new nation was taking shape, in the Declaration of Independence Thomas Jefferson wrote, “we hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.” This was the foundation of our democracy, and yet from the beginning of that democracy exceptions were made to those self-evident truths. Even as our founders pursued a more perfect union, the voting and legal rights of women were far from equal, and the evil of slavery would sow the seeds of racism, seeds that would tear our nation apart.
The Lord God created them male and female in God’s image. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal.
Two foundational statements; one of the Judeo-Christian traditions, and one that captures the aspirational vision of the United States of America. They come together this morning and demand more of us than an intellectual assent, at some point we need to look in the mirror and ask ourselves a critical question. The answer to the question will not change reality but it might change the way that we look at God’s world, our neighbors, and those of other lands, races, and religions.
The question quite simply is this: do you believe those statements? Are all people deserving of basic human rights and freedom; is every race created in God’s image? Or is it possible that in your heart you believe that God has favored nations or favored races? Does God hold a special affinity for “Christian nations” or Christian people?
As Christians we believe that Jesus Christ is the most complete revelation of God, but it would be arrogant of us to believe that we have cornered the market on truth. We do not hold that Jesus was the only revelation of God. Restricting God’s mysterious movement to our own experience would be foolish. There is deep spirituality, wisdom, and truth to be found in other religious movements. Christians believe that God has called us to do good work and to share good news. Does it follow that this calling offers us special status with God? Do we assume that God somehow favors Christians above Jews, Muslims, or atheists? Are we so self-centered that we believe that our children and grandchildren are loved more by God, that their lives are of more value than Muslim children? Does God favor the United States? Is our wealth and power a sign of God’s favor?
The Lord God created them, male and female in God’s image. That is either true or its not. We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal. If we believe the foundational statements of our faith and country, then we should live and act accordingly. How will we view the stranger at our door, the refugee at our border, the homeless in our midst, Palestinian families, and our Jewish neighbors?
Enjoy your coffee this morning, coffee sipped leisurely in a cocoon of freedom and security. And then, take a moment to ask Jesus the question that has puzzled humanity since the dawn of creation; “Who is my neighbor?” Jesus’ answer was quite clear; every child of the earth is a child of God, created in the image of God, intended to be equal. The answer articulated by Jefferson was intellectually “self-evident,” living it with integrity has proven to be more difficult.
Living with integrity, guided by truth, may we one day experience the abundant life that God desires for us.
One beggar telling another beggar where to find bread, I am your
Pastor Jim
[email protected]
Dec 7, 2023 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
“A good person leaves an inheritance for their children’s children.” Proverbs 13:22
Ruby Knudson lived a simple life, dedicated to her family, her church, and her community. She was a teacher and the mother of two boys, Lydell and Ronnie. One day Lydell walked into my office and told me that it was his desire to honor his mother. He wanted to do so anonymously; the idea was not to draw attention to himself. Lydell and Jill Knudson worked with me to set up the Ruby Endowment Fund to benefit TLC students going on to higher education.
In the past decade a dozen TLC students have been awarded the Ruby Scholarship. This award provides our students $10,000 a year for four consecutive years. This scholarship allows students to focus on their studies and to graduate from college with little or no debt.
When the sun rose on November 6th, 2023, for the first time in 87 years Lydell was not there to greet it. Lydell died peacefully at home in his sleep. His physical body would no longer cast a shadow, but his vision and generosity will continue to cast a shadow for decades to come. Even though Lydell and Ruby are gone, they will continue to live on as each year four or more students attend institutions of higher learning on Ruby scholarships. Lydell and Jill understood that they had been greatly blessed in life. Thanks to their hard work and the opportunities afforded to them by their families and the citizens of this country, they prospered. They were blessed, but in God’s economy we are never blessed in isolation. We are blessed that we may be a blessing to others.
All told, the Trinity Lutheran Church Endowment gave away $232,000 in 2022. This money supported local charities, national and international causes, and provided needed scholarships to dozens of college students.
Make your final statement in life consistent with the values that guided your days on earth. Remember the Trinity Endowment in your will. The total overhead cost to run the Trinity Endowment is .85%. That means that 99.15% of your money is used to touch the future, not just this year but for decades to come.
I would invite you to be inspired by the vision of Lydell and Jill Knudson. I would invite you to join a visionary movement that will touch the future.
This Sunday the TLC Endowment will be giving away $25,000. The Church Council approved grants of $5000 each to local charities: Good Cheer Foodbank, Gifts from the Heart Foodbank, Whidbey Island Nourishes, Helping Hand, and the Whidbey Homeless Coalition. This is your endowment in action, this is our endowment, this is our opportunity to make a difference today and to touch the future!
Blessed to be a Blessing!
Pastor Jim
Contact Pastor Jim if you have questions at [email protected]
Dec 2, 2023 | Pastor Jim's Blog
Today’s Word from Pastor Jim…
“Since we all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, we are justified by God’s grace as a gift.” – The Apostle Paul.
“Grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us more… And grace means there is nothing we can do to make God love us less… Grace means that God already loves us as much as an infinite God can possibly love.” – Philip Yancey, What’s So Amazing About Grace?
Martin Luther spent much of his life trying to earn God’s favor. The problem with trying to earn God’s favor is that we can never really be sure that we have done enough; to earn God’s favor or to overcome our own missteps. There is little peace to be found in this uncertainty. We cannot rest because there is no sense of security, and we feel the constant pressure to do more. This is the opposite of living in freedom, this is living in fear, motivated by fear, trying to escape punishment, always unsure of one’s fate. Is God a cruel judge, keeping score, waiting for us to fall, ready at the first miscue to condemn us to hell? The Bible tells us that “God is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love.”
Jesus never met a sinner that he didn’t like, he was the Master of new beginnings, proclaiming good news and calling people to live differently. The call to live differently was not a test to earn one’s salvation or God’s favor, rather it was an invitation to abundant life in the here and now. If we live as Jesus taught us, our life will be better and the lives of those we live with will be better also.
So here’s the deal: nothing you do matters, when it comes to your salvation. Jesus died for you. God loves you. God’s love is not for sale, money or good works cannot purchase God’s favor. Everything is a gift. You arrived on this planet with no forethought or planning. Everything you have is a gift from God. Nothing you do matters, when it comes to your salvation.
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 And everything you do matters! The decisions you make each day will affect your quality of life, the health of your family and the fabric of our community. Make choices that are healthy, generous, courteous, graceful, kind, and charitable to your neighbor. Jesus will love you no matter what, but that is not necessarily true for the rest of humanity. What you do matters. How you choose to live your life and how you choose to treat others matters.
God calls us to good works because God cares about people. God calls us to care for the environment because God cares for the trees, oceans, and wildlife. God calls us to patience and kindness because God knows what your neighbor is going through. This is not about heaven, this is not about the next life, this is about the here and now. What kind of a person do you want to be? How do you want to live, and how do you want to be remembered?
In Jesus Christ we have been set free, to live our lives as a response to what God has already done for us. May we respond to God’s love by loving others. May we respond to God’s forgiveness by forgiving others. Remember, nothing we do matters and everything we do matters.
One beggar telling another beggar where to find bread, I am
Pastor Jim
[email protected]
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